It would be tough enough to toe the line of truth if we were hunted by just one deceptive predator, but the purpose of this post is to point out the four  primary suspects I see in Scripture, the “top 4” deceivers that direly desire to derail and destroy us; this is to help you identify them and thus prevent the deadly danger deceivers perpetually pose.

The first and undoubtedly most obvious source of deception I see in Scripture is external in nature:  the devil himself, also known as Satan, Lucifer, and Beelzebub.

• “…the devil… does not stand in the truth, because there is no truth in him.  Whenever he speaks a lie, he speaks from his own nature; for he is a liar, and the father of lies.” (John 8:44)
• “Now the serpent was more crafty than any beast of the field which God had made.  And he [Satan, the devil] said to the woman, ‘Indeed, has God said, “You shall not eat from any tree of the garden”?’  And the woman said to the serpent, ‘From the fruit of the trees of the garden we may eat; but from the fruit of the tree which is in the midst of the garden, God said, “You shall not eat from it, and you shall not touch it, lest you die.”‘  And the serpent said to the woman, ‘You surely will not die! [Liar!]  For God knows that in the day you eat from it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God… [Liar!]” (Genesis 3:1-5)

“Crafty” like a serpent.  And a lion, which doesn’t make itself known when stalking its prey.  Because it knows that would scare its potential prey away… so instead of revealing itself, a lion will prowl, will slink and slyly seek to stay hidden until the very last second, until it’s ready to pounce – a perfect picture of how the devil does it, how the devil tries to trick his prey – you and me! – and keep us unaware of his activity, of his deception, until it’s too late, until we’ve sinned.

• “Be of sober spirit, be on the alert.  Your adversary, the devil, prowls about like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour.” (1 Peter 5:8)

A lion stealthily slinks, a serpent sneakily slithers, and Satan schemes.

• “… the schemes of the devil.” (Ephesians 6:11c)

What a wicked, wily, woeful foe.

The second source of deception I see in Scripture is internal in nature and very closely related to and inextricably linked with the devil but is a separate and additional entity which is constantly trying to deceive us, and that’s sin itself, which the Bible clearly states has no trouble at all entangling us in its (world-wide 🙁 ) web.

• “… lest any one of you be hardened by the deceitfulness of sin … sin which so easily entangles us” (Hebrews 3:13b; 12:1c)
• “But each one is tempted when he is carried away and enticed [like fish by a worm and hook] by his own lust.  Then when lust has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and when sin is accomplished, it brings forth death.  Do not be deceived, my beloved brethren.” (James 1:14-16)

The third source of deception I see in Scripture is internal in nature:  the heart, i.e., the human mind.

• “The heart [i.e., mind] is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked; who can know it?” (Jeremiah 17:9, NKJV)

Thankfully, the Bible is just as clear in confirming that we needn’t – and mustn’t – depend on our “wicked, sick” human mind to live and love life, because we wield a weapon, a tool, “ten trillion times” greater:  the very mind of Christ.

• “But we have the mind of Christ.” (1 Corinthians 2:16c)

Which is (one reason) why we’re warned to trust and lean and depend accordingly.

• “Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding.  In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight.” (Proverbs 3:5-6c)

The fourth source of deception I see in Scripture is external in nature:  dishonest people.

• “Keep deception and lies far from me…” (Proverbs 30:8a)

Ultimately, like everything in the Christian walk, it boils down and comes back to faith; therefore, never fear or leer, dear peer… hear, veer, steer clear of would-be deceivers.  (And your year will be full of cheer!)

Help us, Lord.  For our flesh can’t fight off far more powerful foes like Satan, sin, self-deception, and insincere, dishonest people.  But thank You so much that You ARE (infinitely) more powerful than all of these would-be predators which will always want – and try! – to trick and trip us up at any given time, especially when we’re weak, so may we wisely “wear” Your Word like a wool winter coat which warms, and the armor of the Spirit and thus stay strong in such unparalleled, potent, powerful protection promised in the Bible and eagerly granted by the grace of God.

• “Finally, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of His might.  Put on the full armor of God, that you may be able to stand firm against the schemes of the devil.” (Ephesians 6:10-11)

Hear, veer, steer clear, yes, but don’t forget to pray, as that passage proceeds to say.

• “With all prayer and petition pray at all times in the Spirit…” (Ephesians 6:18a)

In other words… pray, or be  prey.

More power to ya.

 

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